Golf bunker liner

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a product, and a method to create a solid interface (or barrier) between soil and the sand of a golf sand bunker.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a product, and a method to create a solid interface (or barrier) between soil and the sand of a golf sand bunker.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a material and method of forming a liner for the stabilization of soil and forming and underground liner for sand bunkers.

The present invention is a product and a method to create a solid interface (or barrier) between soil and the sand of a golf sand bunker. This barrier, or liner, exhibits unique advantages over other liners or lining systems. The liner can easily be adapted to the contours and nuances of the cut out bunker. The liner material is somewhat porous, allowing water to percolate through to reduce water accumulation and to keep the sand in place. It retards weed growth thus reduces use of herbicides or hand weeding. The barrier material is not rigid so that a ball strike will not crack the barrier. The liner/barrier is flexible enough to dampen, or absorb, the impact when a golf ball hits the sand making for more realistic play.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred installation of barrier material and construction of a bunker in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The barrier material. The material that is used to form the barrier is a mixture of a dry adhesive, dry plastic cement, fiberglass fiber, lightweight aggregate, water and for some applications, a hardener. This mixture is applied by hand as a semi-solid and allowed to cure. The mixture may be modified to be used with spray application equipment.

-   -   Preparing the soil 2. The soil 2 is prepared by forming the soil         2 and landscape in the configuration that is desired. It is very         important to form a “hinge point” 4 outside and under the top         edge 6 of the bunker 8 such that there is approximately a 45         degree angle formed by the grade going outside the bunker 8 and         the grade underneath the turf 10 surrounding the opening of the         bunker 8. By trial and error, this 45 degree angle was found to         allow the hardened liner 10 to anchor and reinforce the opening         of the bunker 8, reduce any chipping of the bunker 8 by         maintenance equipment and to allow turf 12 to grow over the lip         of the bunker. Once this is formed, the soil 2 is then         physically compacted and then a liquid adhesive polymer is         applied to bind the surface of the soil.     -   Application of the barrier material. Following a stabilization         of the soil 2, the barrier material 10 is mixed and then applied         by hand being mindful to attain a three quarter inch (½″)-(⅝″)         thickness all around the bottom and sides of the bunker. The         barrier material is then continued on up over the top of the         bunker being careful to maintain the 45 degree angle and for at         least 6-8 inches outside the lip of the bunker. Then the barrier         is allowed to cure for at least 24 hours after application.     -   Finish surface. After the barrier is allowed to cure, another         application of adhesive is sprayed on the surface and a layer of         clean, dry bunker sand is spread over the surface to form the         faux appearance. Allow (mandatory) 24 hours of curing and the         bunker liner is finished. Sand can now be applied as desired and         soil /turf can be prepared on top of the upper lip of the         bunker.     -   The bunker 8, includes a floor 14 where a perforated drain pipe         of approximately 4 inches to permit proper drainage. The drain         pipe 16 is covered in approximately ⅜″ pea gravel 18 for         drainage and stability and cover the beveled key way 20.

TABLE ONE Specifications for the barrier material General Specific Material Description Material Practical Amount * Dry Powdered Polymer based Soil Tech/Las 2-4 lbs./S.F. Adhesive gluing agent Vegas, NV Plastic cement Binding Agent Paragon, 2-4 lbs./S.F. for enhanced set Phoenix AZ. Fibrillated Fiberstrand F PSI Fibers 1-2 oz./S.F. Fibers Polypropylene LaFayettte, GA microfiber Aggregate ⅛″Pumice Dust Hess/Pumice/ 4-6 lbs./S.F. Idaho USA Water N/A N/A .5-.7 gallons/S.F * The ranges in the practical amount would reflect with normal conditions using less amount and adverse conditions using higher amounts.

The formula has undergone various iterations to identify the best and longest lasting composition. It has been found that the adhesive needs to be a non-latex polymer type that is not liquid but powder in nature for best suitability. The plastic cement is necessary as a filler and provides the flexibility of the barrier. The aggregate type has been found to have the best size and bulk density to allow for the most desirable amount of hardness and pliability. The overall mixture allows water to percolate through making the barrier unique.

In accordance with the present invention, set forth below are some of the types of materials which would be suitable for use in the present invention.

Soil Tech, 6420 S. Cameron Drive, Suite 207, Las Vegas Nev. sells one type of a formulated soil stabilizer or adhesive suitable for use in accordance with the present invention with the following characteristics:

-   FSB-1000 DP (Dispersable Powder) -   Dust Palliative, Soil Stabilizer, Slope & Erosion Control -   Acrylic Co-Polymer -   Soil Tech 6420 S. Cameron Dr., Suite 207 Las Vegas, NV 89118     (702)873-2023

Composition/Information on Ingredients

Component Percent CAS NO. Acrylic Co-Polymer 94.0-96.  Non-hazardous Calcium Carbonate  1-3% 471-34-1 Water 0.5-3% 7732-18-5

Physical and Chemical Properties

Physical Form: Powdered solid Color & Odor: White, acrylic like odor pH: 7.0-10.0 1% Solution

Euclid Chemical, 19215 Redwood Road, Cleveland, Ohio, sells one type of a PSI Fiberstand F, fibrillated polypropylene micro-fiber suitable for use in the present invention with the following characteristics:

PSI FIBERSTRAD F is a fibrillated polypropylene micro-fiber to concrete reinforcement that complies with ASTM C 1116, Standard Specification for Fiber Reinforced Concrete and Shotcrete, and is specifically designed to help mitigate the formation of plastic shrinkage cracking in concrete. Typically used at a dosage rate of 1.5 lbs/yd³ (0.9 kg/m³), PSI FIBERSTRAND F micro-fibers have been shown to greatly reduce plastic shrinkage cracking when compared to plain concrete, PSI FIBERSTRAND F micro-fibers also comply with applicable portions of the International Code Council (ICC) Acceptance Criteria

AC32 for Synthetic Fibers:

-   Controls and mitigates plastic shrinkage cracking -   Reduces segregation, plastic settlement and bleedOwater -   Provides three-dimensional reinforcement against micro-cracking -   Increases surface durability, impact and abrasion resistance -   Reduction of in-place cost versus wire mesh for non-structural     temperature/shrinkage crack control -   Easily added to concrete mixture at any time prior to placement

Typical Engineering Data

Material 100% virgin fibrillated polypropylene Specific Gravity 0.91 Typical dosage rate 1.5 lbs/yd (0.9 kg/m³) Available lengths: ¼″ (6 mm), ½″ (13 mm), ¾″ (19 mm), 1½″ (38 mm), 2″ (51 mm) and multi-length blend (ML) Melt Point 320° F. (160° C.) Electrical and thermal low Conductivity Water Absorption negligible Acid and Alkali Resistance excellent Silicon Dioxide: 76.2% Chem name: Amorphous Aluminum Silicate Aluminum Oxide: 13.5% Hardness (MOHS): 6 Ferric Oxide: 1.1% pH: 7.2 Ferrous Oxide: 0.1% Radioactivity: None Sodium Oxide: 1.6% Softening Point: 900 degrees C. Potassium Oxide: 1.8% Water Soluble substances: 0.15% Calcium Oxide: 0.8% Reactivity: Inert Titanium Oxide: 0.2% (except in the presence of calcium hydroxide or hydrofluoric acid) Magnesium Oxide: 05% Appearance: White powder Moisture: <1.0% GE Brightness: 84

One type of plastic cement that is suitable for use in the the present is manufactured by Paragon Building Products, Inc., 2895 Hamner Avenue, Norco, Calif. 92860 and has the following characteristics:

-   PRODUCT NAME: PARAGON PLASTIC CEMENT -   Masonry Cement (CAS # 65997-15-1)

Chemical Family: FORMULA CAS# Calcium Salts: 3CaO•SiO2 12168-85-3 2CaO•SiO2 10034-77-2 3CaO•A12O2 12042-78-3 4CaO••A1O3Fe2O3 12068-35-8 CaSO2•2H2O 13397-24-5 Other salts: Small amount of MgO, and trace amounts of K2SO4 Na2SO4 may also be present

One type of pumice aggregate that can be used is that produced by Hess Pumice of Idaho which is amorphous aluminum silicate with a chemical analysis of silicon dioxide 76.2%, aluminum oxide 13.5%, ferric oxide 1.1%, sodium oxide 1.6%, potassium oxide 1.8%, calcium oxide 0.8%, magnesium oxide 0.05%, moisture, less than 1%. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of stabilizing and lining a golf course bunker comprising the steps of: a. preparing soil by forming the soil and surrounding landscape into a desired configuration of the bunker having a liner, a top edge, a lip, an opening, a floor, sides and turf surrounding the bunker opening; b. forming a hinge point around the top edge of the bunker such that there is approximately a 45 degree angle formed by grading the bunker top edge and the turf surrounding the bunker opening; c. compacting the soil and its surface; d. applying a liquid adhesive polymer to the surface of the soil to assist in stabilizing the soil; e. allowing the soil to stabilize; f. applying a barrier material around the bunker floor and sides and continued on up over the top of the bunker while maintaining an approximately 45 degree angle and for a distance past the bunker; g. allowing the barrier to harden; h. applying another layer of liquid adhesive; and optionally applying a layer of clean, dry bunker sand to the bunker floor and sides; and i. curing of the bunker liner.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the curing of step (g) is for 24 hours.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the barrier material comprises a mixture of a liquid binder including an adhesive and a plastic cement, fiberglass fibers, lightweight aggregate, water and optionally, a hardener.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the fiberglass fibers are fibrillated polypropylene microfibers.
 5. The method of claim 1, step (c) wherein the liquid adhesive is sprayed on.
 6. The method of claim 1, step (d) wherein the barrier material is applied by hand.
 7. A stabilized golf course bunker comprising soil and surrounding landscape in a desired configuration of the bunker having a liner, an interior surface, a top edge, a lip, an opening, a floor, sides and turf surrounding the bunker opening, a hinge point around the top edge of the bunker such that there is approximately a 45 degree angle formed by grading the bunker top edge and the turf surrounding the bunker opening, compacted soil on the interior surface, stabilized soil prepared using a liquid adhesive polymer on the surface of the soil, a barrier material applied around the bunker floor and sides and continued on up over the top of the bunker with an approximately 45 degree angle and for a distance past the bunker and hardened; a second layer of liquid adhesive; and optionally, a layer of clean, dry bunker sand to the bunker floor and sides; and curing and the bunker liner.
 8. The bunker of claim 7 wherein the barrier material comprises a mixture of a liquid binder including an adhesive and a plastic cement, fiberglass fibers, lightweight aggregate, water and optionally, a hardener.
 9. The method of claim 7 wherein the fiberglass fibers are fibrillated polypropylene microfibers. 